Hi Kiwi's!
Its been a little while since I've posted - recently I visited 'Hands on Creatures' in Titirangi. A place where you can get hands on with all types of creatures from: Blue Tongued Skinks, Geckos, Cockroaches, Weta's, Rats, Avondale Spiders and more! Just to name a few.
You are also able to hold a few Tarantulas! (Correct me if I am wrong) But this is the only place in New Zealand where you are able to meet a few furry 8-legged beauties. Being someone who has been terrified of spiders since I was a small child, I was so surprised once I actually saw the Hands On Creatures Spiders in person, my anxieties fell away from me. Brian Lawton who owns and runs this business made me feel at ease and safe in the environment we were in which greatly contributed to me finding it easy to hold these spiders - the first spider I met was an Avondale Spider (Also known as the Huntsman) It was so surreal and I was fascinated by how pretty it was. I handled it with ease which I found so odd, a year ago I would have been like "HELL NO". Even crazier, I even got it put onto my face - click on the video below to see for yourself - it felt really weird, and a tiny pit prickly and ticklish.
(UPDATE AS OF OCTOBER 2021: Unfortunately the Tarantula experience is no longer available and Hands on Creatures has relocated)
We also got to hold his other bugs and learned so much about each creature and learned so many things we didn't know before going in. As the time went on I could feel myself growing a new appreciation for creatures a lot of us pay no attention too or find "gross" and "eeky". Its surprising just how your old opinions can change once you actually research them and educate yourself on these bugs. Their looks and appearances aside, most of them aren't even that scary or harmful - minus a few. Asides from the bugs and reptiles, I finally got to see some rats and hold one of them - dream come true!
I was a little apprehensive going in to Hands On Creatures and unsure if it was really worth forking money out for but after going in and experiencing everything for myself, I can say 100% it was so worth it. You learn so many things, get to spend some time with each creature and have a hold and ask questions if you like. The environment is very laid back and you feel safe where you are.
I was feeling a little nervous but excited to meet Brian's beautiful Tarantulas after a few months of prepping myself up after discovering "Exotics Lair" on YouTube and watching his videos of his pet Tarantulas. That channel very much inspired me to want to be able to at least once in my life time hold a Tarantula or own one, so going to Hands On Creatures would be first ticked off my list. I googled Tarantulas in New Zealand and discovered an article written up about Brian and his Tarantulas. From there I rung him up and made a booking and I don't regret it one bit.
I was the first to hold his Peruvian Pink Toed Tarantula and my goodness she was so cute! I was a tiny bit nervous but as soon as I laid eyes on her and had her on my hand I was in heaven. Its a very odd way to describe the experience, but it truly was beautiful. I was so fascinated and in awe of her. I was surprised with myself just how casual I was about it but I could have held her for hours if it weren't for how fragile she was. We each took turns holding a few other ones he had and he told us a few stories about them and about their behaviours etc. It was such a great memory made, its made me want to own my own (If only they were allowed as pets in our country). One of the T's I held for a little bit before he put her back, started to kick back hairs on me without me realizing what she was doing which I found a little bit funny but lucky he picked her up and put her back into her enclosure before any could get onto me.
It was such a great 3-hours spent among such amazing creatures and I can't recommend Hands On Creatures enough - you won't regret going! If you're struggling with your fear of bugs and spiders give it a go. I never ever thought I would overcome my fear of spiders (Although I'm not a fan of a few species of spiders) or at least be able to be okay with them, educating yourself on them can help so much and handling them or being up close to them can definitely help when you are ready to face your fear. Thank you to Brian for welcoming us into your home and making our experience with you one for the books.
You can book Hands On Creatures for events, birthday parties etc and I'm really wanting to have them for my birthday next year - fingers crossed. Or like we did, you can make a booking to visit his home for an experience.
FOR MORE INFO:
fb.com/handsoncreatures
PHOTOS FROM HANDS ON CREATURES
Photos: Koko Whitehouse and Beatrice
We also got to hold his other bugs and learned so much about each creature and learned so many things we didn't know before going in. As the time went on I could feel myself growing a new appreciation for creatures a lot of us pay no attention too or find "gross" and "eeky". Its surprising just how your old opinions can change once you actually research them and educate yourself on these bugs. Their looks and appearances aside, most of them aren't even that scary or harmful - minus a few. Asides from the bugs and reptiles, I finally got to see some rats and hold one of them - dream come true!
I was a little apprehensive going in to Hands On Creatures and unsure if it was really worth forking money out for but after going in and experiencing everything for myself, I can say 100% it was so worth it. You learn so many things, get to spend some time with each creature and have a hold and ask questions if you like. The environment is very laid back and you feel safe where you are.
I was feeling a little nervous but excited to meet Brian's beautiful Tarantulas after a few months of prepping myself up after discovering "Exotics Lair" on YouTube and watching his videos of his pet Tarantulas. That channel very much inspired me to want to be able to at least once in my life time hold a Tarantula or own one, so going to Hands On Creatures would be first ticked off my list. I googled Tarantulas in New Zealand and discovered an article written up about Brian and his Tarantulas. From there I rung him up and made a booking and I don't regret it one bit.
I was the first to hold his Peruvian Pink Toed Tarantula and my goodness she was so cute! I was a tiny bit nervous but as soon as I laid eyes on her and had her on my hand I was in heaven. Its a very odd way to describe the experience, but it truly was beautiful. I was so fascinated and in awe of her. I was surprised with myself just how casual I was about it but I could have held her for hours if it weren't for how fragile she was. We each took turns holding a few other ones he had and he told us a few stories about them and about their behaviours etc. It was such a great memory made, its made me want to own my own (If only they were allowed as pets in our country). One of the T's I held for a little bit before he put her back, started to kick back hairs on me without me realizing what she was doing which I found a little bit funny but lucky he picked her up and put her back into her enclosure before any could get onto me.
It was such a great 3-hours spent among such amazing creatures and I can't recommend Hands On Creatures enough - you won't regret going! If you're struggling with your fear of bugs and spiders give it a go. I never ever thought I would overcome my fear of spiders (Although I'm not a fan of a few species of spiders) or at least be able to be okay with them, educating yourself on them can help so much and handling them or being up close to them can definitely help when you are ready to face your fear. Thank you to Brian for welcoming us into your home and making our experience with you one for the books.
You can book Hands On Creatures for events, birthday parties etc and I'm really wanting to have them for my birthday next year - fingers crossed. Or like we did, you can make a booking to visit his home for an experience.
FOR MORE INFO:
fb.com/handsoncreatures
PHOTOS FROM HANDS ON CREATURES
Photos: Koko Whitehouse and Beatrice
